With the 2024 NFL Draft less than a week away, USC star Caleb Williams remains atop the list of quarterback prospects. However, many analysts, including former QB Chase Daniel, believe LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels has skills that rank ahead of the rest of the field.
Appearing on the “Ross Tucker Podcast” on Friday, Daniel revealed what Daniels does better than any other QB in this year’s draft.
“Based on film that I’ve seen, he is easily the best pure progression passer of the group,” Daniel said. “I’ve never seen a quarterback in the few years I’ve been evaluating college quarterbacks, to make the jump to the next level, have I seen them go through progressions at a faster clip than Jayden. He’s almost predetermining — which is a really good thing — you can do this on certain plays, where to go with the football based on progressions. That tells me, one, he understands the game, and, two, he’s really smart. He’s understanding. He’s seeing coverages.”
Daniels is already well-known for his ability to run the football. In 2023, he led all quarterbacks in the NCAA with 1,134 rushing yards.
However, as Daniel hinted, that sometimes detracts from his incredible arm.
Among college quarterbacks who played 50% of their team’s snaps or more, Daniels recorded the highest passer rating in the nation at 143.7. Furthermore, he had the second-highest big-time throw percentage (8.4) and the fifth-highest adjusted passer rating (79.6), per Pro Football Focus.
Despite Daniels’ impressive resume, many expect Williams to be the first player off the board on April 25. However, he isn’t the unanimous choice throughout the NFL world.
While analysts such as ESPN’s Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky have voiced their opinion that Daniels is the best quarterback in this year’s draft, several anonymous coaches and scouts recently revealed they’d take the LSU standout No. 1 overall.